Female Chief Profiles

I like to focus on being positive. Even though we do have our challenges, you have to maintain being positive.

Lorraine Cobiness

Niisaachewan First Nation

With over a decade of experience as Chief of Niisaachewan First Nation, Lorraine Cobiness is thankful for the opportunities she’s had to create meaningful partnerships that benefit her people.

Among Cobiness’ many accomplishments, she is the most proud of the balance she has been able to strike between national and community needs – from collaborating with industry and government to manage the Kenora forest, and the ongoing development of an all nations health care system and hospital, to opening Keshick High School as a way to pass on local culture, language, and heritage.

Marilyn Sinclair Obashkaandagaang First Nation

Sinclair has high hopes for her community and term as Chief. She is the first female Chief for Obashkaandagaang First Nation, and feels extremely honoured to have the power of an all-female Council, and 9 strong, female Chiefs, behind her.

As she heads into her first 6 months of leadership, her main focus is to secure funding to build a new community centre that will function as a Band Office, recreation hub, and rehabilitation centre, as well as develop more housing and an effective water treatment plan.